Electric-lighting apparatus



1,39QQU1.

J. H. GEORGE.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1918.

Patent-ed Sept. 6, 1921.

2 SHEETS--SHEET I.

J.-H. GEORGE.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.16, I918.

1,89@,%@l; PatentedSept. 6, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

66 EMWWEW Jwiw/m M. %@@W@@ A W W JOHN H. GEORGE, OF BRIDGEJPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO ELLSWOBTH HAW- THORNE, 01F BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC-LIGHTING APPATU$.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. e. 1921.

Application filed March 16, 1918. Serial No. 222,975.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN H. GEORGE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Electric-Lighting Apparatus, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.' V

This invention relates to electric lighting apparatus, and is more particularly, though not exclusively, concerned with an electric switch socket and lamp focusing device having special application to lamps of the class in which an electric bulb is associated with a light-concentrating and projecting reflector, although the invention in some 'of its aspects is capable of general application.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an electric lighting apparatus embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 1s a front elevation of the lamp socket and switch on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4. is a front elevation of the switch with the lamp socket removed;

-Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the switch with the spring-pressed plungers and their insulating mounting removed;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the switch on line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectiona view of an enlarged scale of the switch on line 7-7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a detail rear elevation on an enlarged scale of the spring-pressed plungers and their insulating mounting, together with a portion of one of the conducting wires and its terminal;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the lamp socket and switch on an enlarged scale on line 9-9 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line 1010 of Fig. 9, showing the switch in its off position; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional view,'similar to Fig. 10, but showing the switch in its'on position.

Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of m invention which is illustrated therein, have there shown an electric lighting apparatus comprising a casing 12, best shown in Fig. 2, which may be of any appropriate construction, the same inclosing a suitable light-concentrating and projecting reflector 13, with which is associated a light source 1 1 in the form of an incandescent electric bulb, the same being provided with a suitable'base 15 disposed in a lamp socket, herein comprising a socket member 16 and an insulating mounting 17 therefor. The lamp base 15 and socket member 16 may be of any usual or desired style, but herein 1 have shown what is known as the Ediswan type, in which the lamp base 15 is provided with a pair of laterally-projecting pins 18, shown in Fig. 2, interlocked with bayonet slots 19 provided in the socket member 16. The latter may be secured to its insulating mounting 17 in any appropriate manner, as by providing the same with a plurality of laterally-projecting tongues 20, best shown in Fig. 9, interlocked with said mounting, the latter for this purpose being preferably molded about said tongues.

Electric bulbs of this class are of two types, one adapted for what is known as a single-wire system, and the other for a double-wire system. In the case of the singlewire system, the lamp is provided with a single, centrally-located terminal at the rear :or inner end of its base, and there is provided, associated with the socket, a singleyielding terminal contacting therewith,

while in the case of the double-wire system,

the end of the lamp base is provided with two terminals, respectively, adapted for cooperation with two spr1ng-pressed terminals associated with the lamp socket. My present invention is adapted to either a single or a double-wire system, by simply employing in association with the lamp socket a terminal or terminals to correspond with the terminal or terminals of the lamp base. In the present example, I have shown the two-wire type, and have provided a pair of usual spring-pressed plungers 21 an 22, best shown 1n Fig.9, mounted respectively in guide sleeves 23 and 24, and having springs 25 and 26, which urge said plungers into engagement with the lamp base, thus servin its soc et, as well as to provide conductors for the current. The plunger guiding sleeves 23 and 24 may be otherwise suitably mounted and insulated from each other, but

in the present example, I have shown an insulating mounting 27 in the 'form of a bushing, which enters the socket member 16 from the rear or inner end of the latter. Preferably, the bushing is provided with a shoulder 28, engaging the rear or inner face of the insulating mounting 17, thereby acting as a limiting-stop to determine the position of the bushing with respect to the lamp socket, as best shown in Fig. 9.

Associated with the lamp socket are suitable lamp focusing and switching means, which serve as a carrier for the lamp bulb 14, whereby the latter may be focused with relation to the reflector 13,-the. latter to this end being provided with a central opening 29 to receive the lamp socket member 16, which is slidable axially therein, asbest shown in Fig. 2.

The switch may take various forms, but

in the present example, I have shown-aswitch comprising a circuit making and breaking lever 30 (see Figs. 9, 10 and 11), extending lengthwise of the axis of the. socket member 16, and adapted to make and break the lamp circuit by to-and-fro movement. To this end, I have herein provided the lever 30 with a cam 31, having endwise enga ement with a spring-pressed plunger 32, t e latter being preferably mounted in the plunger-guiding sleeve 24, hereinbefore described, and being urged by the spring 26 into engagement with the cam .31. The latter serves as a means to hold the circuit making and breaking switch lever 30 in an open-circuit or a closed-circuit position, as will be evident from an inspection of Figs. 10 and 11. When the switch is thrown from one position to the other, the face of the cam moves across the end of the spring-pressed plun er, causing the latter to yield inwar y, and when the lever reaches its other position, the plunger e06 eratingwith the cam holds the switch de nitely but yieldingly in such position.

e lever 30, when in one position (herein that which is shown in Fig. 11), is adapted to complete the lamp circuit, and to that end may cooperate with any suitable contact member, herein a yielding contact 33 in the form of a spring, best shown in Fig. 6. This s ring is referably, so shaped that when the face 0 the lever 30 wipes across the terminal portion of the spring, the latter yields and insures a firm contact with the lever. It is evident that the wiping contact of the lever with the contacts 32 and 33 continually rubs the contacting surfaces and to hold the latter interlocked with I prevents corrosion, thus insuring excellent contact. 7

Any suitable mounting may be provided for the switch, but in the present example, I have shown an insulating mounting comprising a air of insulating members 34 and 35 which, together, form a housing for the switch elements, but so constituted that the latter may be assembled and dismounted with great ease. To this end, I have herein provided the members 34 and 35 with flanges 36and 37, best shown in Fig. 9, respectively secured to the insulating mounting 17 by bolts 38 and 39, and I have provided a bolt 40 passing through the members 34 and 35,

and securing the same together, as well as providing a pivot for the lever 30. As a means to receive the insulating bushing 27, I

which serves as a mounting for the plunger guides 23 and 24, .I have herein provided the insulating members 34 and 35 withchambers 41 and 42, best shown in Fig. 5, these chambers being just the roper depth to receive and hold the head 0 the bushing against axial movement when the parts are assembled. When the parts 34 and 35 are dismounted, however, the bushing 27 may be withdrawn from its place in the socket member 16. i

As a means to receive the rear ends of the plunger guides 23 and 24, I have herein provided the insulating members 34 and 35 with recesses 43 and 44, respectively, best shown in Fig. 5, leading from the chambers 41 and 42, respectively. .Herein, the member 35 is provided with an elongated shallow chamber 45, best shown in. Fig. 9, to receive the lever 30, and is provided with another communicating chamber 46, to receive the cam 31, as best shown in Fig. 9. An aperture 47, best shown in Fig. 5, provides an opening between the recess 44 and the chamber 46 to receive the spring-pressed plunger 32, as best shown in Fig. 9, and the edges of said aperture may constitute a guide for said .to and fro across its end.

The spring contact 33 is herein housed in a chamber 48, best shown in Figs. 6 and 9, formed in the insulating member 34, and may be held in place in said chamber by any appropriate means, such for example as a stud or rivet 49, having a hollow shank 50, which is headed over to hold the spring-contact in place.

As a means for conducting the current into the switch, I have herein provided two conducting wires 51 and 52, suitably connected to the plunger guide 23 and the spring contact 33, respectively. In the present example, the wire 51 is provided with a terminal 53, having a perforated eye 54 to receive a-reduced hollow terminal portion 55 of the plunger guide 23, s best shown in Fig.

v 8, such reducedportion being headed over or riveted down upon the eye of the wire terminal to hold the latter securely attached to the plunger guide. Similarly, the wire 52 is provided with a terminal 56, having a perforated eye 57 to receive the hereinbefore described shank 50 of the rivet 49, as best shown in Fig. 11. In this way, the rivet 49 serves as a means to hold the wire 52 connected to the spring contact 33, as well as to hold the latter in its proper position in its chamber 48.

The conducting wires 51 and 52 may be led into the switch mounting in any appropriate way, but in the present example, I have shown the insulhting mounting 17 provided with perforations 58 and 59, best shown in Fig. 3, and have provided the insulating member 34 with terminals 60 and 61, leading from said perforations into communication with the recess 43 and chamber 48, as best shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Thus it will be seen that the positive and negative wires and contacts are thoroughly insulated from the negative wires and contacts, thereby preventing short circuits.

As a means for operating the switch, I have herein shown a switch actuator 62 extending .transversely of and appropriately connected to the lever 30 to operate the latter, said actuator to this end being herein provided with a recess 63 having opposed shoulders 64 and 65 between which the lever 30 is interposed, as best shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Thus it is evident that, by shifting the actuator 62 endwise in the proper direction, the lever may be shifted from one position to another. Preferably, the actuator is provided with suitable push buttons 66 and 67, one of which in practice will be made of light-colored and the other of dark-colored insulating material, so that when the lightcolored button is depressed, the lamp circuit will be completed, and when the darkcolored button is depressed the lamp circuit will be broken. These buttons may be assembled with the switch, after the latter is in place in the casing, by inserting said buttons laterally through the casing. Preferably, said buttons are threaded'onto the intermediate portion of the actuator, as shown in Fig. 7

Herein, the push buttons 66 and 67 extend laterally through the casing 12, as best shown in Fig. 2, said casing being provided with appropriate uides 68 and 69, to guide said buttons, whi e preventing them from being moved lengthwise of the axes of the lamp socket and switch, the latter, however, being mounted to move axially for lamp focusing purposes. The insulating members 34 and 35 are herein provided with longitudinal slots 70 and 71, which permit the switch to be moved to and fro with relation to the switch actuator, which, as just stated, is held against movement lengthwise of the axis of the switch, as will be evident from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 9.

It is evident from the foregoing that the switch mounting constitutes a lamp carrier mounted to move axially in the casing. As a means for moving said carrier forward and backward, to focus the lamp 14 with relation to the reflector 13, I have herein provided a focusing rod 72 suitably attached to the lamp carrier and extending rearwardly through the casing 12, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Preferably, the means of attachment of the rod to the lamp carrier is such that the rod may be turned without turning the lamp carrier, and hence withoutdanger of injury to the latter. To this end, I have herein provided the rod 72 with an annular groove 73, and a head 74 interlocked with, but mounted to turn freely in the insulating members 34 and 35, as best shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, said members to this end being provided with correspondingly shaped depressions 75 and 76.

The lamp, when focused, may be held in the desired position by any appropriate means, but in the present example, I have shown for such purpose a clamping bushing 77 (see Figs. 1 and 2) threaded into the rear end of the casing 12, and provided with one or more slots 78, which render the same expansible and contractible, A tapered end 79 on the bushing fits a correspondingly tapered seat in the casing 12, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby turning movement of the bushing in the proper direction causes the latter to contract and grip the focusing rod 72, which it encircles. Turning movement in the opposite direction releases said rod and allows the latter to be moved axially for focusing purposes.

While I have herein shown and described one specific form or embodiment of my invention for illustrative purposes, and have disclosed and discussed in detail theconstruction and arrangement incidental to one specific application thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere details or relative arrangement of parts, nor to its specific embodiment herein shown, but that extensive deviations from the illustrated form or embodiment of the invention may be made, without departing from the prlnciples thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

1. In a electric switch and socket, the combination of a socket member, a pivoted switch, an insulating switch mounting divided longitudinally of the axis of said socket member, means to secure said socket member to one end of said switch mountin and to secure the socket ends of the switcfi mounting sections together and means con stitutingla pivot for said switch adapted to secure t e other ends of said switch mounting together.

2. In an electric switch and socket, the combination of a socket member, a switch, an insulating switch mounting divided longitudinally of the axis of said socket member, means to secure said socket member to said switch mounting and the adjacent ends of the switch mounting sections together, and

- means constituting positioning means for switch mounting being divided longitudi nally of the axis of said socket member, and means to secure said mountings together.

5. In an electric switch and socket, the combination of a socket member, an insulating mounting therefor, a terminal, an insulating mounting for said terminal, a switch, an insulating mountin for said switch, said switchmountin being ivided longitudinally of the axis of said socket member, means to secure said socket member mounting to said switch mounting, and means to secure said divided switch mounting together.

6. In an electric switch and socket, the combination of a socket member, an insulating mounting therefor, a terminal, an insulatmg terminal mounting extending into said socket member mounting, a switch, an insulating switch-mounting having a chamber in which a portion of sand terminal mounting is received, and means to secure said mountings together.

n testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN H. GEORGE. 

